The savage murder of the Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi inan operation planned by the Saudi government was an appalling crime.You should be commended for continuing to call for full accountabilityand justice against the perpetrators.

But Mr. Khashoggi’s killing is not the end of the story. Under CrownPrince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has proved to be a purveyorof instability in the Middle East.

Whether it includes a war in Yemen that has resulted in a humanitariancrisis, the kidnapping of the Lebanese prime minister or an embargo onQatar that has divided the Gulf Cooperation Council, the time has comefor the United States to undergo a strategic re-evaluation of itsrelationship with Riyadh.

Despite what the Trump administration says, Saudi Arabia is not anally. When national security interests coincide, Washington shouldcooperate with the Saudis as it would with any country that sharessimilar goals. But when those interests diverge, Washington shouldshow the courage to go its own way. American leaders must make itclear that United States support is not an entitlement.

The American people want a foreign policy that makes sense and defendstheir interests first. Washington should start heeding their call.

Daniel DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities.

This piece was originally published by The New York Times on February 14, 2019. Read more HERE.